A contracted University employee was arrested outside Thurston Hall on Thursday morning for assaulting another contracted employee.

The employee —  who was charged with simple assault according to a Metropolitan Police Department spokesman — was detained just after 10 a.m. by GW Police Department Officers who cuffed the staff member and sat him against the front exterior wall of Thurston. Four GWPD Officers, one MPD officer and a GW Emergency Medical Response Group unit responded to the scene. 

University Spokesperson Julia Metjian said an altercation took place between two contracted employees and did not involve students.

“GWPD responded to a brief physical altercation between staff employed by contract partners, which resulted in the arrest of one individual,” Metjian said. “No students were involved or injured, and the building remains open.” 

University staff members closed two of the three doors to Thurston and checked student’s GWIDs before allowing them to enter the building. According to a GW staff member, GWPD requested for the University officials on scene to redirect foot traffic away from the doors closest to the detainee. 

At 10:50 a.m., a GWPD officer appeared to read the employee his Miranda rights before an MPD officer took them into custody and led them to an MPD van at 11:09 a.m.